Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in secret, according to newly uncovered job listings posted to the company’s careers page. Two contract positions at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Systems Designer and another for a character animator—suggest an early-phase R&D project is underway, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not formally revealed the project, the postings suggest a small team is building combat systems from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into full development, indicating an ambitious expansion of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio Secret Project Comes to Light
The two job listings discovered on Riot’s recruitment page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Designer role particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from the ground up, with candidates required to show extensive expertise of action titles and role-playing games. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, game mechanics and AI—fundamental components that would define the player experience in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the CG animator position seeks professionals with experience in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot aims to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly identifies the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP knowledge as a desirable skill, firmly positioning Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The temporary structure of these roles generally suggests early-stage development, meaning the action RPG could still be a considerable period from public reveal or launch. This discovery underscores Riot’s wider approach to expand the League franchise outside its primary MOBA game, after periods of prosperous ventures into animated series, collectible card games and mobile games. The simultaneous development of both an MMO and an action RPG demonstrates the organisation’s dedication to examining different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator role emphasises stylized character animation proficiency
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract roles suggest early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Demonstrate
Combat Systems at the Heart
The Action Game Combat Designer posting forms the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the role explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat mechanics from the ground up. The job description highlights applicants require deep expertise in action games and action RPGs, with specific emphasis on how combat feels to players, the core systems that foster player engagement, and the AI systems that govern enemy behaviour. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not simply applying existing combat frameworks but rather creating a custom system tailored to deliver a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The focus on combat feel and mechanics demonstrates that Riot recognises the essential value of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action RPG genre. By recruiting specialists who understand how to craft engaging combat systems, the company is signalling its intention to establish itself within a crowded marketplace of action-focused titles. The need for Unreal Engine proficiency further demonstrates that Riot is employing industry-standard technology to achieve its vision, enabling the team to focus creative energy on what sets the game apart rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Likely Backdrop
Although neither position announcement explicitly names the project, both postings highlight knowledge of League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the likely backdrop. This deliberate approach allows Riot to tap into the established narrative, cast of characters and world creation that has evolved throughout various platforms, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst providing players with recognisable elements that enhance immersion and commitment to the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s wider franchise strategy of creating linked gameplay experiences across different gaming genres. By anchoring the new project to the identical universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that satisfy dedicated players. This strategy enhances the worth of the company’s creative investments whilst establishing Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to established franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Growing the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent development of a League of Legends action RPG represents a major broadening of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the highly praised Arcane animated series to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multi-pronged strategy transforms League from a standalone game property into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, providing players an entirely different way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The release window of this project initiative stands as especially noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations to other League-related projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the appointment of former World of Warcraft lead Raymond Bartos, the company is demonstrating remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This dual-project approach mirrors proven approaches employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By developing games across varied genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through diverse gameplay whilst building anticipation for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement indicates the company is distributing development resources strategically across its global operations.
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| League of Legends MMO | Active production with new leadership |
| Action RPG (Unannounced) | Early-stage R&D at Shanghai studio |
| Arcane animated series | Established franchise component |
| Legends of Runeterra card game | Ongoing live service title |
- Several League titles in progress simultaneously throughout diverse studios and categories
- Runeterra universe extending via integrated interactive experiences and media adaptations
- Existing IP enables Riot to make use of current lore and character lineups successfully
Timeline and Development Outlook
The contractual status of the advertised roles suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, probably several years before any public reveal or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at major studios generally demand considerable duration before achieving playable prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s willingness to hire for such foundational projects indicates real dedication to exploring the ARPG category within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this foundational phase allows the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the alignment of multiple League projects creates an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could cement its status as a dominant force in cross-genre franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s substantial dedication in producing quality content rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the measured, restrained approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has moved beyond previous failures and now emphasises sustainable, properly funded production cycles within its portfolio of significant franchises.
